Means for operating ventilators on automobiles



Mai-ch 31, 1931.

E. STE-RN MEANS FOR OPERATING VENTILATQRS ON AUTOMOBILES Filed Aug. 1, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Qfflver Emanuel/VI. 5%?

MEANS FOR OPERA'I ING VENTILATORS ON AUTOMOBILES Filed Aug. 1, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @QQ. m,

cifwenf'or' Frwarzae? M ,5 76m Patented Mar. 31, 1931 'EMANUEL M. STERN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS MEANS FOR OPERATING VENIILATORS 0N AUTOMOBILES Application filed August 1, 1928. Serial No. 296,847.

This invention relates to ventilator operating means, and more particularly to means for opening the doors or louvers for closing the ventilating openings provided in the 5 engine hood of an automobile.

It is a common practice, in some automobiles, to provide the engine hood, at the sides thereof, with spaced openings having associated therewith doors for closing such 0 openings, these doors being movable into open position for admitting air through the openings for ventilatin purposes. In such devices, constructed in accordance with the present practice, when it is desired to open 3 the doors it is necessary that each door he opened separately and by hand, necessitating the person opening the doors alighting from the automobile and again returning thereto.

I have found that this objection can be avoided by providing suitable means operable from within the automobile for releasing the doors, such means, preferably, being so located as to be readily actuated by the driver of the automobile. It is one of the main objects of my invention to provide inexpensive and eflicient means whereby the ventilating doors of the hood can be readily released and opened by a person seated in the automobile. It is a further object to provide means of this character concealed within the hood and cowl structure ofthe automobile so as not to detract from the appearance thereof.

Another object is to provide means of the character stated so construct-ed as not to interfere with raising of the hood to give access to the engine. Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detailed description.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is an elevationof the cowl and hood of an automobile, and associated parts, showing my invention as applied;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 22.of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section taken substantially on line H of Fig. 1;

F ig- 5 is a section taken substantially on line 55 of Fig. 4;

F ig. 6 is a section taken substantially on line 6+6 of Fig. l on an enlarged scale;

Fig. '7 is a perspective detail view of the releasing bar:

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view through the cowlstructure taken substantially on line 88 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing modified form of the invention; and

Fig. 10 is a section taken substantially on line 10-10 of Fig. 9 on an enlarged scale.

I have illustrated my invention as applied to an engine hood 1 of an automobile, this hood extending between the cowl 2 and the radiator frame 3. The hood 1 is provided, at each side thereof, with a panel 4 having spaced ventilation openings, the sheet metal from which this panel and the hood are formed being turned inwardly about each opening to provide a flange providing a frame 5 for a closure member or door 6.

This door is formed of sheet metal and is of channel section, both longitudinally and transversely. Door 6, when in closed posi tion, fits snugly within the frame defined by the flange 5 and servesto effectively close the ventilation opening.

I have illustrated the panel 1 as provided with four ventilation openings and a cor-. responding number of doors for closing such openings, the doors being of substantially rectangular shape. The number of openings and doors, as well as the shape thereof, may be varied as desired and to suit circumstances, as will be readily understood.

The forward side fiange of each door 6 is extended inwardly and forwardly to provide an arcuate hinge strap 7, the forward edge portion of which is shaped into a sleeve 8 through which extends a pin 9 secured in suitable brackets 10, these brackets being suitably securedto the inner face of panel 4:. T he door 6 is thus mounted to swing about the pin 9 into open and closed positions, the arcuate hinge strap or arm 7 permitting the door to be moved outwardly away from the panel 14 an appreciable distance into substantially the dotted line position of Fig. 4.

A wire spring 11 is mounted about pintle 9 and has one armbearing against the inner face of panel 4, the other arm of this spring bearing against hinge strap 7, sleeve 8 and strap 7 being provided with a suitable cutout or notch to accommodate the spring 11 in a manner well understood in the art. Spring 11 urges the door 6 outwardly into open position and opening movement of the door by the spring is limited by contact of strap 7 with the flange defining the door frame 5.

The door is held closed, against the action of spring 11, by bolt 12 of a spring latch 13 of known type. This latch is secured to panel 4, at the inner face thereof, adjacent the door frame 5, and includes the bolt 12 which is normally held projected by an expansion coil spring 14 mounted about the reduced stem of the bolt and confined between the bolt head and the end of the latch casing. The bolt 12 operates through an opening in door frame 5, and door 6 is provided, in its rearward side flange 6a, with an opening 15 for reception of the bolt 12 when the door is closed, the bolt having an outwardly directed beveled or inclined end surface 16 which permits closing of the door. During the closing of the door the bolt is moved inwardly of its casing until opening 15 is aligned with the opening through flange 5, at which time the bolt is projected by the spring 14 so as to engage through the opening of flange 6a, thus securing the door in closed position. \Vith the door in closed position, if the bolt 12 is retracted the door will be swung into open posi' tion by the action of spring 11.

1 provide a releasing bar 17 within the hood 1 and adjacent each side thereof. This bar extends in substantial parallelism to the panel 4 and is slidably mounted, at its rearward end, through dashboard 13 of the cowl 2, the dashboard being provided with a suitable slot or opening for reception of bar 17, this slot being designated 19 in Fig. 2.

At its forward end the bar is offset outwardly slightly at 20 and is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 21 (Fig. 6 and Fig. 7) This slot receives the shank of a flat headed screw 22 which extends through an inwardly offset flange 23 at the rearward portion of radiator frame 3. The head 24 of this screw is disposed between the outer face of flange 23 and a cushion strip 25 of fabric or other suitable material suitably secured to flange 23 at the outer face thereof, this strip cushioning contact between the hood 1 and the radiator frame in a known manner. A spacing collar or nut 26 is screwed onto screw 22 and co-acts with head 25 of the screw to tightly clamp flange 23. A nut 27 is screwed onto the screw 22 and contacts the inner face of bar 17, this nut being so adjusted that the bar is held against objectionable loosenessor play between the collar 26 and nut 27. The nut 27 is locked in position by a cotter pin 28 passing through the nut and the screw, or in any other suitable or preferred manner. A tension spring 29 has its forward end secured to screw 22 in a known manner and the rearward end of this spring is secured to a pin 30 which is secured in bar 17. This spring acts to normally hold the bar 17 in its forward or-inoperative position, and to return the bar to such position after it has been moved rearwardly and released.

The bari17 is provided with a plurality of integral fingers 31 disposed substantially at right angles to the body of the bar, these fingers extending toward the doors 6. In forming these fingers the bar is cut from its upper edge, at proper intervals, to provide a substantially L-shaped cut or slot, and the material of the bar defined by this cut is then bent outwardly at right angles to the bar, as shown. Each of the fingers 31 is bored and threaded for reception of a contact screw 32 which extends in the direction of the length of the bar. This screw is held in adjustment through the bar by means of a set screw 33 which threads into the finger from the top thereof. The screws 32 are disposed to contact pins 34 which are secured in the bolts 12 of the latches 13, these pins projecting inwardly toward the bar 17 (Fig. 4). hen the bar 17 is in its inoperative or forward position the screws 32 are disposed forwardly of, and out of contact with, the pins 34. Under such conditions, if the doors (5 be closed, the bolts12 engage through the rearward side flanges of the doors and lock them in closed position, as in Figs. 2 and 4.

Each of the bars 17 is provided, at the rearward end thereof andv a slight distance in rear of the dashboard 18 with a suitable handle 35 which projects from the bar substantially at right angles thereto and is directed inwardly of the cowl 2.

If itis desired to open the doors 6 at either side of the hood 1, the bar 17 is moved rearwardly by means of the handle 35 so as to a cause the screws 32 to contact with pins 34 and retract the bolts 12, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4. This releases the doors 6 which are swung into open position by the springs 11 in the manner previously described. By adjusting the screws 32 in the fingers 31, the order in which these screws will contact with the pins 34 may be varied so that slight rearward movement only of the bar 17 will result in opening of certain selected ones of the doors only, other doors being opened upon greater rearward movement of the bar. By this arrangement one or more of the doors can be opened as desired, depending upon the movement rearwardly of the bar. With the screws 32 adjusted as illustrated in Fig. 2, all of the bolts 12 will be retracted and, consequently, all of the doors will be opened when the bar 17 is moved rearwardly. After havingoncebeenopeneththe doors 6 are closed 1 by hand, when this becomes'necessary, as at present,- or in any other suitable or preferred manner. In the modified form illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, I have shown a shaft 36 extending transversely of the cowl and rocle ably mounted in suitable brackets 37 secured to footboard 38. Arms 39 are suitably secured on the shaft 36, adjacent the brackets 37, and are suitably secured at their upper ends at 40, to the rearward ends of arms 17.

A pedal 41 is suitably secured, as by means of a split sleeve 42, and associated 'bolt'and nut, on the shaft 36 in position to be readily depressed by the foot of a person seated in the automobile. As will be noted more clearly from Fig. 10, the connection 40 between each arm 39 and bar 17 is a pin and slot con nection, the bar sliding through dashboard 18 as previously described. When the pedal 41 is depressed, shaft 36 is rocked in a clockwise direction, as considered in Fig. 10, thus swinging the upper ends of the arms 39 rearwardly. This results in rearward movement of the bars 17 and opening of the doors 6, as previously described.

What I claim is 2- 1. In combination in automobile ventilating means, a hood having ventilating openings, doors for closing said openings, means urging the doors in opening direction, spring latches for releasably securing the doors closed, a slidably mounted releasing bar disposed in proximity to the latches, elements projecting from the holding members of the latches, and elements carried by the bar and disposed to contact with said elements of the latches and retract the holding members of said latches upon movement of the bar in one direction, the holding members of the latches being released upon movement of the bar in the other direction into inoperative position.

2. In combination in automobile ventilating means, a hood having ventilating openings, doors for closing said openings, means urging the doors in opening direction, spring latches having spring pressed bolts for engaging the doors and securing them closed, pins projecting from the bolts, a releasing bar slidably mounted in proximity to the latches. and contact members carried by the bar and disposed for contact .vith said pins for retracting the bolts upon movement of the bar in one direction into operative position.

3. In combination in automobile ventilating means, a hood having ventilating openings, doors for closing said openings, means urging the doors in opening direction. spring latches having spring pressed bolts for engaging the doors and securing them closed, pins projecting from the bolts. a releasing bar slidably mounted in proximity to the latches, and contact members carried by the bar and disposed for contact with said pins for retracting the bolts upon movement of the bar in one direction into operative posibolts'adapted-to engage said tion, said contact members being independently adjustable.

4. In combination in automobile ventilating means, a hood having ventilating openings, doors for closing said openings, means urging the doors in opening direction, spring latches for releasably securing the doors shut, said latches having releasing elements projecting from the holding members thereof, a releasing bar, and contact members carried by the bar, said bar being movable into and out o'f'position to cause said contact members to contact with said releasing elements and retract the holding members of the latches.

5. In combination in automobile ventilating means, a hood having ventilating opens ings, doors for closing said openings, means urging the doors in opening-direction, spring latches for releasablyseciu'ing the doors'shut, said latches having releasing elements projecting from the holding members thereof, a releasing bar, and contact members carried by the bar, said bar being movable into and out ofposition to cause said contactmem'bers to contact with said releasing elements and retract the holding members of the latches, the contact members of the bar being inclependently adjustable.

.6. In an automobile, a hood having a plurality of ventilating openings, doors for closing said openings, means urgingthe doors in opening direction, latches r01- releasably securing the doors closed and iincluding'movable members, and a releasing member, said member and the movable -members of the latches having cooperating elements disposed formutual contactfor moving the latch members mto moperativepositlon and releasing the doors when the releasing memberis moved in door releasing direction, said cooperating elements being relatively adjustable for releasing certain of the'doors only or all of the doors, optionally. i

7. A hood construction .for vehicles having a plurality of ventilating openings, doors for closing said openings, meansnormally urging the doors in openingdirection, a plurality of latches comprising normally spring projected doors and secure them in closed position, extensions on said bolts, a releasing bar mounted for sliding movement adjacent said extensions, and means carried by said bar adapted to engage said extensions for retracting said bolts upon movement of the bar in one direction, said means including lost motion connectionsbetween saidbar and said extensions,

8. A hood construction for vehicles having a plurality of ventilating openings, doors fo r closing said openings, means'normally urging the doors in opening direction, aplurality oi latches comprising normally spring'projected bolts adapted to engage said doors and secure them in closed position, extensions on said bolts, :1 releasing bar mounted 'for sliding movement adjacent said extensions, means carried by said bar adapted to engage said extensions for retracting said bolts upon movement or the bar in one direction, said means including lost motion connections be tween said bar and said extensions and being adjustable for varying said lost motion con nections whereby the bolts may be retracted selectively.

9. In combination in vehicle ventilating means, a hood having a plurality of ventilating openings, doors for closing said openings, means normally urging the doors in opening direction, spring latches for releasably securing the doors in closed position, extensions projecting from the holding members of the latches, a slidably mounted releasing bar disposed in proximity to the latches and mounted independently thereof, means carried by said bar adapted to engage said extensions for retracting said latches upon movement of the bar in one direction, the holding members of the latches being released upon movement of the bar in the other direction into inoperative position, and means normally holding said bar in inoperative position.

10. In combination in vehicle ventilating means, a hood having ventilating openings, doors for closing said openings, means urging the doorsin opening direction, spring latches for releasably securing the doors shut, said latches having releasing elements projecting from the holding members thereof, a releasing bar normally held in inoperative position and mounted independently of the hood, con tact member carried by the bar, said bar being movable into and out of position to cause said contact members to contact with said releasing elements and retract the holding members of the latches and providing lost motion connections between said contact members and releasing elements, and said contact members of the bar being independently adjustable for varying said lost motion connections whereby certain of said releasing elements may be retracted prior to others of said releasing elements.

11. In combination in vehicle ventilating means, a hood having a plurality of ventilating openings, doors for closing said openings,

means normally urging the doors in opening direction, spring latches normally securing the doors closed, a bar slidably mounted within the hood and disposed in proximity to the latches, elements projecting from the holding members of the latches, elements carried by the bar and disposed to contact with said elements of the latches and retract-the holding members of said latchesupon movement of the bar in one direction, the holding members ot' the latches being; released upon movement of the bar in the other direction into inoperative position, means normally holding the bar in inoperative position, said bar being mounted independently of the hood for sliding openings, doors for closing said openings,

means releasably holding the doors shut, said means having releasing elements projecting from the holding members thereof, a releasing bar mounted for sliding movement within the hood in proximity to said releasing ele ments, the bar carrying contact members, said bar being movable into and out of position to cause said contact members to contact with the releasing elements and retract the holding members of the releasing means, means normally urging the doors in opening direction and holding said doors in open position by pressing the hinges thereof against the adjacent door frame surfaces when the hold ing members of the releasing means have been retracted. the bar being mounted independently of the hood, means normally holding the bar in inoperative position, and the hood being removable independently of the releasing bar.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 30th day of July, 1928.

EMANUEL M. STERN. 

